Portable furniture straddle device

ABSTRACT

A portable straddle bag device for furniture, which may be used as an accessory for existing furniture. A straddle member is supported horizontally by the furniture. The generally horizontal straddle member straddles a horizontal plane of furniture, such as a mattress, with the first bag member extending from one end of the straddle member and a second bag member extending from an opposite end of the straddle member. The bag members hang from the opposite ends of the straddle member in a generally horizontal fashion, and provides a place to keep frequently used items in close reach of the user. The sides of the furniture, where the articles are so kept do not interfere with the intended use of the furniture.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to furniture accessories generally, and more specifically relates to a portable accessory for frequently used items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common for people to engage in activities such watching television, listening to music or reading while reclining in bed, on a sofa, easy chair or lounge. Almost every electronic device has a remote control. Typically, beds and chairs do not have suitable surfaces on which to place as many as four or more remote control devices for television, cable or satellite, audio systems, DVD or DVR devices or tablets.

Further, many people wear eyeglasses for reading or watching television. The eyeglasses must be removed and set aside before sleeping or napping. Many people also take medicines, or other use other health or beauty aids, at bedtime or sun bathing and there is a need to keep these item readily at hand.

In summary, while many articles are associated with activities that may take place in bed or in a relaxed atmosphere there is generally no convenient placement for such articles. There is a need for a portable bag associated with a bed, sofa, easy chair or lounge that does not interfere with sleeping or other natural movement of the user or others and can be easily positioned, but also may be moved for use with other types of furniture, or for washing or cleaning.

Similarly, there is a need for a portable bag for furniture such as dining chairs and tables, since chairs and tables frequently do not have a place to place articles associated with them, nor do they have a place for personal items, such as purses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a portable bag that straddles furniture, and which may be used as an accessory for existing furniture. A straddle member is supported horizontally by the furniture. The generally horizontal straddle member straddles a horizontal plane of furniture, such as a mattress, and may be positioned under bed pillows or under sofa pillows and over arms of a sofa, easy chair or lounge, with the first bag member extending from one end of the center member and a second bag member extending from an opposite end of the center member. The bag members hang from the opposite ends of the center member in a generally horizontal fashion, and provide a bag at the sides of the furniture, where articles so kept do not interfere with the intended use of the furniture.

BRIEF DRAWING DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a partial view of the straddle bag device for furniture showing a bag member.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bed having a mattress with a straddle bag device for furniture in position over a bed and mattress.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a chair demonstrating the straddle bag device for furniture positioned over a horizontal surface of a chair.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a table demonstrating the straddle bag device for furniture positioned over a horizontal surface of a table.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the chair of FIG. 3; showing another embodiment of the straddle member.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the table of FIG. 4, showing another embodiment of the straddle member.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the device. As shown, the device has an elongated straddle member 2 with a length that exceeds the width of the center member. A first bag 4 member extends from a first end 6 of the width of the straddle member, and a second bag 8 member extends laterally from a second end 10 of the width of the straddle member that is opposite the first end 6 of the straddle member, and opposite the first bag member 4.

The generally horizontal straddle member is maintained in a horizontal position by a horizontal surface of the furniture as shown in FIG. 2, where the horizontal surface is the top of the mattress 12, but could be a sofa, easy chair or lounge or similar article. The mattress may be covered by a sheet or other coverings, and located on a bed 14. As shown positioned on a bed, FIG. 3, the horizontal surface that supports the horizontal straddle member is a chair 112. As shown in FIG. 4, the horizontal straddle member is supported by the top of a table 212.

In the embodiment as shown, the first bag member 4 and the second bag member 8 have a plurality of pockets for separate placement of multiple articles 16. The number and sizes of the pockets may vary, with as few as one pocket. As shown in FIG. 1, the width of the bag member 4 is wider than the straddle member 2 that straddles the furniture, but could be of other widths. The device may comprise a large pocket 18, which may have elastic 20 at a top opening, with the back of the pocket formed by an extension from the center member. In this embodiment, the plurality of smaller pockets is formed on an exterior surface of the large pocket. Other pocket configurations may be used.

It is preferred that the first bag member and second bag member are not attached to the furniture, but are held in place by the combination of the length of the horizontally supported straddle member and the offsetting weight of the opposing bag members. The bag member straddles the furniture and the first bag member and the second bag member fall to the side of the supporting furniture by gravity, particularly when articles are placed in the bag members, adding weight to the bag members. The bag members are preferred to not be attached to the sheets or other coverings of the bed or other furniture, so that the bag members fall at generally a right angle to the straddle member, which is supported by the horizontal surface of the furniture, and by operation of gravity. The straddle member supports the first bag member and second bag member by straddling the furniture, and the straddle member is of sufficient length to hold the oppositely positioned straddle members in position despite the pull of gravity, even if the weight of the articles is somewhat disproportionate from one side to the other artificial weights may be placed in opposing pocket for balance

In a preferred embodiment, the straddle member is not attached to the furniture, but is simply supported by the horizontal surface of the furniture. This feature makes the bag device according to the invention easy to position over the furniture, and easy to remove for washing or cleaning, or for moving to another location.

In a preferred embodiment, the straddle bag device for furniture is formed of a washable textile, which may be cotton, polyester, a blend of cotton or polyester, or even silk, linen or other textile materials. The bag member may be formed of materials that are different from the materials that form the pockets.

As shown in FIG. 2, the length of the straddle member 2 is generally perpendicular to the axis of the length of the mattress 12. The straddle member straddles the width of the mattress, with the bag members extending from the opposite ends of the width of the straddle member.

FIG. 3 shows the straddle bag device used with a chair 112. As shown, the device has an elongated straddle member 102 with a length that exceeds the width of the straddle member. A first bag 104 member extends from a first end 106 of the width of the straddle member, and a second bag 108 member extends laterally from a second end 110 of the width of the straddle member that is opposite the first end 106 of the straddle member, and opposite the first straddle member 104. The seat of the chair is a horizontal plane that supports the device by supporting the straddle member. The pocket structure is similar to the pocket used with the device for a bed, but may be smaller since chairs are typically smaller than beds, and the length of the supporting and balancing straddle member may be shorter than the straddle member of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows the straddle bag device used with a table 212. As shown, the device has an elongated straddle member 202 with a length that exceeds the width of the straddle member. A first bag 204 member extends from a first end 106 of the width of the straddle member, and a second bag 208 member extends laterally from a second end 210 of the width of the straddle member that is opposite the first end 206 of the straddle member, and opposite the first bag member 204. The top of the table is a horizontal plane that supports the device by supporting the straddle member. The pocket structure is similar to the pockets used with the device for a bed, but may be smaller since tables may be smaller than beds, and the length of the supporting and balancing Straddle member may be shorter than the straddle member of FIG. 2.

The straddle member may be formed of a first generally horizontal straddle member and a second generally horizontal straddle member. Straddle members 120.122 may intersect, as shown in FIG. 5, or straddle members 120, 122 may be parallel as shown in FIG. 6. More than two straddle members may be used if desired. The use of two or more strap-like straddle members may be particularly desirable when the device straddles a chair or table. 

What is claimed:
 1. A portable straddle bag device for furniture, comprising: a generally horizontal straddle member having a length that exceeds its width, a first bag member extending laterally from a first end of the width of the straddle member, a second bag member extending laterally from a second end of the width of the straddle member that is opposite the first end, wherein, in use, the generally horizontal straddle member is constructed and arranged for support by a generally horizontal surface of furniture, and the first bag member is positioned generally vertically at a side of the furniture and the second bag member is positioned generally vertically at an opposite side of the furniture, and the first bag member and the second bag member are not attached to the furniture.
 2. A portable straddle bag device for furniture as described in claim 1, wherein the first bag member and the second bag member comprise a plurality of pockets.
 3. A straddle bag device for furniture as described in claim 1, wherein the first bag member comprises a plurality of pockets.
 4. A straddle bag device for furniture as described in claim 1, wherein the width of the generally horizontal center member does not exceed seventy two (72) inches.
 5. A straddle bag device for furniture as described in claim 1, wherein the first bag member and the second bag member are positioned generally vertically by gravity.
 6. A portable straddle bag device for furniture as described in claim 1, further comprising a mattress, wherein the generally horizontal surface of furniture that supports the generally horizontal straddle member is the mattress, and wherein an axis of the length of the generally horizontal straddle member is generally perpendicular to the axis of the length of the mattress.
 7. A device for furniture as described in claim 1, further comprising a mattress, wherein the generally horizontal surface of furniture that supports the generally horizontal straddle member is the mattress, and wherein an axis of the length of the generally horizontal straddle member is generally perpendicular to the axis of the length of the mattress, and wherein the width of the generally horizontal straddle member does not exceed seventy two (72) inches.
 8. A portable straddle bag device for furniture as described in claim 1, wherein the straddle member of the portable straddle bag device is positioned over a generally horizontal surface of the furniture and is not attached to the furniture.
 9. A portable straddle bag device for furniture as described in claim 1, wherein the first bag member extends laterally from a first end of the width of the second generally horizontal straddle member, and the second bag member extends laterally from a second end of the width of the second generally horizontal bag member that is opposite the first end.
 10. A portable straddle bag device for furniture as described in claim 1, further comprising a second generally horizontal straddle member having a length that exceeds its width, wherein the first bag member extends laterally from a first end of the width of the second generally horizontal straddle member, and the second bag member extends laterally from a second end of the width of the second generally horizontal straddle member that is opposite the first end, and wherein the generally horizontal straddle member intersects the second generally horizontal straddle member.
 11. A portable straddle bag device for furniture as described in claim 1, further comprising a second generally horizontal straddle member having a length that exceeds its width, wherein the first bag member extends laterally from a first end of the width of the second generally horizontal straddle member, and the second bag member extends laterally from a second end of the width of the second generally horizontal straddle member that is opposite the first end, and wherein the generally horizontal straddle member is parallel to the second generally horizontal straddle member.
 12. A portable straddle bag device for furniture as described in claim 1, wherein the portable straddle bag device is positioned over a generally horizontal surface of the furniture and is not attached to the furniture and the portable straddle bag device is held in position by the length of the straddle member and the opposing mass of the bag members. 